A church that’s stood in Albany’s South End since 1880 was heavily damaged by a fire, late Thursday evening. Firefighters were still trying to put out hotspots on Friday.

The Elijah Missionary Baptist Church has served hundreds of families in the neighborhood for years.

For historical perspective, the church building was dedicated back in 1880, the same year James Garfield was elected president.

Now 144 years later, it took only a matter of hours for this South End landmark to be reduced to a pile of heavily charred debris.

The bright orange flames were in contrast to the late night darkened sky. They could be seen for miles.

When the fire broke out, apparently somewhere in the church sanctuary, Bishop Avery Comithier was asleep in the rectory next door. Awakened by his cousin who lives with him, Comithier rushed down to the front doors of the church, but because of the intense heat, could not get inside.

Firefighters arrived within minutes.

Albany Fire Chief Joseph Gregory told NewsChannel 13 weather conditions were favorable.

He said no wind and tolerable mid-November temperatures allowed firefighters to contain the blaze, and save other buildings in the heavily populated neighborhood.